Apparatus for servicing compressed air tools



H. GINTHER APPARATUS FOR SERVICING COMPRESSED AIR TOOLS Filed June l5, 1961 Feb. 18, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 18, 1964 H. GINTHER APPARATUS FOR sERvIcING coMPREssED AIR TooLs Filed June 13. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,121,472 AlPARATUS FR SERVICING CGMPRESSED AIR TGLS Hans Ginther, Bacci, Switzerland Filed June 13, 1961, Ser. No. 116,775 9 Claims. (Cl. 184--1) This invention relates to a device for servicing cornpressed-air tools supplied with compressed `air from a central place, a lubricating medium being added to the compressed air at the central place.

It is known to lubricate compressed-air tools from a central place by adding constantly or intermittently a suitable lubricating medium to the compressed air. As these tools are in most cases subjected to a considerable inuence of dust, they must also be cleaned by flushing at lregular time intervals in order to avoid premature wear and to ensure their longest possible period of ruse. For this cleaning by flushing, the compressed-air tools had hitherto to be put out of operation, detached from their respective connection pipes and placed into a special device. T-his is complicated, time-consuming and also involves an interruption of work. Moreover, a regular cleaning by flushing at the required time intervals is not always ensured.

ilt is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is substantially lachieved by providing a device `for servicing compressed-air tools `supplied with compressed air iii-.om a central place, said device accomplishing the steps of adding at the central place a lubricating medium to the compressed air to be supplied to the compressed-air tools and adding at predetermined time intervals a flushing medium instead of the lubricating medium to the compressed air, the period of lubricating the compressedair tools being longer than that of flushing.

IIn this manner the iiushing medium is fed alternately with the lubricating medium at predetermined time intervals from the central place to the compressed-air tools through the compressed-air pipes feeding the compressed air to the tools. This cleaning of the tools by lushing cannot only be carried out from a central pla'ce but also without any interruption of the work of the tools. 'Ilhe method of servicing compressed-air tools according to the invention is thus substantially improved and rationalized ove-r the hitherto known methods.

The device for carrying out the method according to the invention comprises a cylindrical tank divided into a tank chamber containing a lubricating medium and a tank chamber containing a flushing medium, a compressed-air distributor pipe associated with the cylindrical tank, two pipes for admitting compressed air from a compressor connected to `said compressed-air distributor pipe, a plurality of valve bodies connected to said compressedair distribu-tor pipe and having a corresponding number of connection pieces yfor the connection of compressedair pipes each leading to a compressed-air tool, and ducts for each of said valve bodies for lalternately feeding the lubricating medium and the flushing medium from the common cylindrical tank into said valve bodies.

To ensure a rapid and uniform distribution of both the lubricating medium and the iiushing medium to the individual tools, it may be expedient to provide a manifold between the cylindrical tank and the valve bodies, the ducts for the valve bodies being connected to the manifold. Furthermore, two connecting pipes may be connected to the manifold and the two chambers of the cylindrical tank and two reversing cocks may be mounted in the connecting pipes, which reversing cocks are coupled together iand alternately closable.

To permit adjustment of the quantity of lubricating ice medium and flushing medium 4alternately fed to the tools, as required by the particular type of each Iindividual tool and the purpose for which it is intended, it is preferred to mount a dosing device in each of the ducts.

The compressed-air distributor pipe and the manifold may be provided at at least one of their ends with a screw thread or the like which serves for securing a cover or an extension to the compressed-air distributor pipe and the manifold, as desired. In the latter case the device according to the invention can be extended in an easy and simple manner for the connection of further tools.

As is known, hammer drills `and the like should only be operated particularly in underground working if water can be fed to the working place, so that no dust, especially mineral dust, can form which is rather injurious to the health of the workers. For this reason each tool operated by compressed air has, in addition to the pipe for admitting compressed air to the tools, a ilexible pipe `for admitting water to the working place. Furthermore, a common pipe for .feeding clear air is provided for a plurality of drilling tools, which pipe serves to supply an air blast to the individual drill holes to permit cleaning thereof before blasting `and above all to blowout any water which may still be present in inclined drill holes.

It is a further object of the invention to arrange these additional pipes which serve to supply water to the drilling sites and the pipe for feeding clear air in such a manner that they cause las little trouble as possible when they are being mounted, handled or transported. It is also important to ensure, independently of the number of actually existing drilling sites, la uniform water supply without being dependent on the pressure existing in. the water pipe, which is frequpently insuilloient for the purpose mentioned.

T o this end a water tank may be associated with the cylindrical tank having Kthe two tank chambers, the cylindrical tank, the compressed-air distributor pipe with the valve bodies, and the water tank are combined in a structural unit by means of a frame, and connection pieces are provided on said water tank for the connection of flexible water pipes each leading to the working place of a compressed-air tool. lIn this manner a self-contained unit is produced with which the movements necessary in gallery construction, for example, can particularly eX- pediently be `followed when a propulsion carriage or the like, which expediently receives this unit, moves forward and back to be able to follow the driving-on working place at a suitable dist'mce or to take back all the working tools to a sufficient distance during the blasting. The water tank of a suit-able size which is incorporated in the unit permitting Lubrication and lflushing of the compressed-air tools through the compressed-air pipes from the central place and which can be subjected to a suitable pressure by the available compressed air, ensures independence from the water pipe connection in respect of pressure. Moreover, an intermediate water reservoir is provided thereby. The multiply `arrangement of the connection pieces for the water feed pipes leading to the working places of the tools also results in an easily understandable operation and handling 'of these pipes. This is very advantageous if these pipes are moved back and forth during the working operation asset forth above.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View or a device according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 is an end view of the device as seen from the right-hand side in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a partial end View similar to FIG. 2 and showing a modication.

With reference now to FIG. l, a container 1 constructed 3 as' a cylindrical tank of-appropriate length contains in its interior a partition 2 dividing itinto a larger tank chamber la containing lubricating oil and a smaller tank c hamber 1b containing lushingv oil. By means of screws this tank 1 is mountedat itstwo ends between two substantially triangular members 3' and 4 of a frame. The forwardlegs-of'the members 3 and fi-are connected by means of a longitudinal connecting strut 5. The tankchamber 1n hasat its bottom an outlet 6 which opens via-a connecting pipe" 8V into -a manifold 7 having a slightly larger cross section than the outlet 6. In the -connecting pipe 8 there is* provided a `regulating cock -which permits adjustment of the quantity of lubricating oil ilowing out of the tank chamber 1a. A reversing cock? l0 which is also arranged in the connecting pipe- 8 servesfor opening and closing the connecting pipe 8 by turning a lever lli mounted on the reversing cock 10 backand forth. For the tank chamber 1b containing` the llushingoil there is provided ina similar manner an outlet IZ'Open-ing via a connecting pipe 16 into the -manifold 7, and a regulating cock 13 as well as a reversing cock 14 with a lever l5 thereon is arranged in the connecting-pipe 16.l The levers -lll and l5 mounted l on the reversing cocks ltl'and 1'4 are interconnected by a connecting bar 17. By shifting the connecting bar 17 in the directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 18 either the connecting pipe 8 or the connecting pipe 16 is opened and-thus lubricating oil or flushing oil can alternately ow into fthe manifold7. In the mid-position of` From the manifold 7 ducts l9-lead to valve bodies 2t):

which-eachhave a connection `piece 22 provided with a shut-off cock 21 and intended for the connection of a flexible compressed-air pipe (not shown) leading to the working-.place of each individual compressed-air tool. According to the form of construction shown in the drawings, six connection pieces 22 are provided for the connection offsixhammer drills `or-the like operated by compressed air.

Acompressed-ai-r distributor .pipe ZS-having a relatively.

large diameter is supported at each .of its ends by transverse ba1s23 and 24 (FIG.y 2) of the frame. and 27 for-admitting compressed air-from a compressor are expedientlyconnected to both ends of the. compressedair distributor-pipeV ZSby means of flanged joints 2S' and 29; This ensures a uniform distributionof compressed air in the compressed-air distributor pipe 25 independently of khow manyvalve bodies and connection pieces 22` for the individual compressed-air tools are in operation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connection of the. compressedair distributor pipe `to the individual valve bodies 20:

is established by connectingpipes Silopening into the rear oftheevalve bodies-,20s The lubricating, or flushing oilA which Iis fed into the valve bodies Zththrough the ducts 19 is admixed to the compressed air, fed from the distributor,

pipe 25 into the'valve bodies 2t).Y through the connecting pipes-30,V ,in anely distributed proportion by means of a. spraying-nozzle'V (not shown) of 'a known construction and thusarr-ives through the ilexible compressed-air pipes connected-to the connection pieces 22. at the compressed-air tools: The quantityof oil to be added can be adjusted by a dosing device in form of an adjusting screw 31 provided on the head of each ofthe valve bodies 2t).v The construction of the valve bodies 20 operating in the manner describedis known per se, so that a detailed description thereof is not necessary. lt should merely be mentioned that these valve bodies operate automatically and automatically block the admission of oil as soon as the compressed-air tools connected thereto are put out of operation or their respective shut-ofi cocks 21' are closed.

Pipes .26.

An appropriately large water tank 33 is supported by arms 32 at-the rear of the frame which combines this water tank 33, the cylindrical tank l, the compressed-air distributor pipe 25, md the valve bodies Ztl with the connection pieces 22. in a structural unit. The water tank 33 has at its bottom outlets 34 `leading via connecting pipes 35 to connection pieces 36 mounted on the longitudinal connecting strut 5 and each-possessing a shut-olf cock 37. To the connection pieces 3o flexible water pipes (not shown) are connected which lead to the working places of the compressed-air tools, the arrangement being such that the connection pieces 22 for the flexible compressed-air pipes and the connection pieces 36 for the Flexible water pipes are combined :in pairs. ln this manner the unit permitting central lubrication and. flushing of' the compressed-air tools is also utilized for central connection, ,handling and operation of the ,pipes feeding water to the working places of the compressed-airtools.

lt'is contemplated to subject the water tank. 33 to a suitable pressure through a pipe system 3Sl connected to the compressed-air distributor pipe 25. The same applies to the tank chamber la containingthe` lubricating oil andthe tank chamber' i12-containing the flushing oil, the pressure being supplied to these chambers through the pipe system 'opening therein on thertop thereof. ln the pipe system 33 valve means 39 and iticonstructed as nonreturn valves are provided, which in the event of any troubles prevent water and oil from flowing from the water tank 33 and the tank chambers la, lb, respectively, into the compressed-air distributor pipe 25. The valve means 39and itl shown in FG. 2may also be constructed as pressure-reducing Valves as shown at 39' and 40V in the partial view of FIG. 3.

Asclan be seen from FIG. 1, theA compressed-air distributor pipe 25 is provided with a further connection piece 42-iitted with a shut-ott cock 4l. To the connection piece 42 a pipe can be connected which is commonly.

pended claims rather than by the foregoingl descriptionV and all changeswhichcome within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the-claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A device for servicing compressed-air-tools supplied with compressed air from a central place, comprising a tank divided into a tank chamber containingta lubricatingA medium `and atank chamber containing a'ushing medium, a compressed-air distributor pipe adjacent thetank, at least one pipe for admitting compressed air to said compressed-air distributor pipe, a plurality of valve bodies connected to said compressed-air distributor pipe and having a corresponding number of connection pieces for the connection of compressed-air pipes each leading to a compressed-air tool, and means communicating with said chambers and each of said valvebodies for alternately` feeding the lubricating medium and-the flushing medium from the common tank into said valve bodies.

2. A device as claimed in claim l, wherein saidmeans include a manifold between the tank and the valve bodies, a plurality of ducts -respectively connecting said valve bodies to said manifold, two connecting pipes connecting to said manifold and the two tank chambers of the tank, and two reversingcocks mounted in said connecting pipes, said reversing cocks being coupled together and alternately closable.

Y 3. A device as claimed in claim l, wherein a dosing device is mounted on each of the valve bodies and serves 5 for adjusting the quantity of lubricating medium and flushing medium to be yfed alternately into the valve body.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a water tank is located adjacent the tank having the two tank chambers, a frame supports the tank, the compressed-air distributor pipe with the valve bodies, and the water tank in a structural unit, and connection pieces are provided for the connection of flexible water pipes each leading to the working place of a compressed-air tool, said connecting pieces communicating with said water tank.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the frame has a front longitudinal connecting strut and the connection pieces for the connection of the compressed-air pipes leading to the compressed-air tools and the connection pieces for the connection of the water pipes leading to the working places of the compressed-air tools are combined in pairs and supported by said front longitudinal connecting strut so as to lie in a line one adjacent the other.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a pipe system is connected to the compressed-air distributor pipe 'and the water tank, on the one hand, and the tank chambers of the tank, on t-he other hand, and valve means are provided in said pipe system.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the valve means are nonreturn valves.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the valve means are pressure-reducing valves.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a yfurther connection piece is provided on the compressedaair distribntor pipe and serves for the connection of a pipe which is commonly associated with the compressed-air tools and arranged to conduct compressed air only.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,245,600 Medsker June 17, 1941 2,799,352 Boerner et al. July 16, 1957 2,820,528' Harper Jan. 21, 1958 2,935,159 Burrell May 3, 1960 

1. A DEVICE FOR SERVICING COMPRESSED-AIR TOOLS SUPPLIED WITH COMPRESSED AIR FROM A CENTRAL PLACE, COMPRISING A TANK DIVIDED INTO A TANK CHAMBER CONTAINING A LUBRICATING MEDIUM AND A TANK CHAMBER CONTAINING A FLUSHING MEDIUM, A COMPRESSED-AIR DISTRIBUTOR PIPE ADJACENT THE TANK, AT LEAST ONE PIPE FOR ADMITTING COMPRESSED AIR TO SAID COMPRESSED-AIR DISTRIBUTOR PIPE, A PLURALITY OF VALVE BODIES CONNECTED TO SAID COMPRESSED-AIR DISTRIBUTOR PIPE AND HAVING A CORRESPONDING NUMBER OF CONNECTION PIECES FOR THE CONNECTION OF COMPRESSED-AIR PIPES EACH LEADING TO A COM- 